Bi-partisan Texas Political Prostitution: I agree with Letter Writer B.W. Jaster.

House candidate who worked as prostitute staying in race

Dallas' largest gay, lesbian political group rescinds endorsement
12:00 AM CST on Saturday, February 18, 2006
By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News
Tom Malin has vowed to continue his campaign for the Texas House, but his support has dwindled amid revelations that he once worked as a prostitute.
On Friday, the local Stonewall Democrats, the largest gay and lesbian political group in Dallas, rescinded its endorsement of Mr. Malin's candidacy in the Democratic primary on March 7.
"It's not because of him being in recovery or having a past as an escort," said Michael Moon, president of the Stonewall Democrats. "The main reason is because he lied about it all."
The Texas Tejano Democrats also are expected to set aside their endorsement of Mr. Malin when the executive board has a chance to meet, said Domingo Garcia, chairman of the Hispanic group.
And The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board has removed its recommendation of Mr. Malin. An explanation can be found in today's opinion section.
Mr. Malin could not be reached for comment Friday.
He is running for the Democratic nomination in House District 108, which covers much of central Dallas and the Park Cities. It's his first run for public office, though he's served on at least two city boards.
Mr. Malin acknowledges that he once worked as an escort using the name "Todd Sharpe." He said he no longer works as a prostitute.
Rumors of his past surfaced when he began his campaign for the House seat currently held by Republican Dan Branch.
Some Democrats knew about his past. Others had heard rumors and asked him directly.
"We pulled him from our first [endorsement] ad because of the rumors," Mr. Moon said. "We asked him whether it was true and he said 'no.' "
Democrats have fielded their largest slate of candidates in years, hoping that demographic shifts in Dallas County will bring them victories in November.
Several gay and lesbian candidates, including Mr. Malin, are running for various posts.
"If you're not truthful, you lose the public trust," Mr. Moon said. "He has hurt our reputation, and he has hurt the gay and lesbian community."
The board of the Stonewall Democrats made the decision to rescind the endorsement of Mr. Malin. The full body will meet Tuesday to ratify the decision.
Mr. Malin, a member of the group, would be allowed to argue that the endorsement should remain in place.
E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com

source: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-malin_18met.ART.North.Edition2.22d44353.html
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Hits and Misses from the Dallas Morning News Editorial Page

Tom Malin recommendation ? We think not
F. Scott Fitzgerald was wrong: There are, in fact, second acts in American lives. No one should begrudge Democratic state House candidate Tom Malin the opportunity to redeem himself from his past life as a male prostitute. He says God spoke to him and convinced him to change his ways. That's between him and the Lord, and we wish him every success. But it's hard to see Dallas Democrats nominating a former hooker to represent District 108 in Austin – and if they do, it will be without the recommendation of The Dallas Morning News, which we hereby withdraw. Mr. Malin's opponent in the March 7 primary, Jack Borden, offers no serious rationale for his candidacy; we will not shift our recommendation to Team Borden. What a mess! And what a shame for Democrats.

source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-hitsandmisses_18edi.ART.State.Edition1.22d26f6d.html
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Letter to the Editor Dallas Morning News

Folks, he looks qualified
Re: "Candidate worked as prostitute," yesterday's news story.

So Tom Malin worked as a prostitute in a prior life. Is that not the perfect prerequisite for politics? I nominate him for governor.

B.W. Jaster, Dallas
source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-satletters_0218edi.ART.State.Edition1.22d98951.html
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Tom Malin's Website http://www.tommalin.com/bio.htm
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So are the Brownwood Republicans still avoiding discussing "their guy" Jeff Gannon/Guckert ? Wonder how much coverage the Dallas Morning News gave to the Jeff Gannon White House Affair ?

Who is Jeff you ask ? Do your own research, just google Jeff Gannon Texas. Maybe that's why the Bush Administration wants the Google records ?

Former Jeff Gannon publisher running for Vice Chair of Texas GOP
Ron Brynaert

The GOP operative and conservative website owner who hired a onetime prostitute to cover the White House has decided to run for the vice chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas, RAW STORY has learned.
Jeff Gannon, a $200-an-hour gay male escort, resigned from Eberle’s Talon News last February after pictures and emerged which revealed that he once toiled as a gay male prostitute. Eberle shut down the news site shortly thereafter, although his satellite Website GOPUSA.com remains active.
The little known "news organization" first attracted attention after Media Matters reported that a softball question Gannon asked of President Bush at a press conference had been lifted from a skit aired on Rush Limbaugh's radio show.

source:http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Former_Jeff_Gannon_publisher_running_for_1222.html